Robert taylor



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT TAYLOR, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

CANAL-LOCK GATE.

Specicaton of Letters Patent No. 31,836, dated March 26, 1861.

To all 'whom fit may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT TAYLOR, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Gate for Canal-Locks; and I hereby declare that the following is a full and accurate description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of these specifications.

The nature of the invention consists of a circular face drop gate A, made of iron or wood, attached to side pieces or a fra-me 'work or arms of iron B, or wood extending from an-iron hub, C, that plays on a pin or axle inserted in the sides of the lock at a point that is the center of a circle formed by the periphery of the gate when combined with a circular' breast wall that forms the lower part of the gate in addition to its other duty of breast wall. And my invention further consists in combining with a circular face gate a hinged wicket leaf, for filling the chamber of the lock.

The arms for the support of the lock gate, move perpendicularly in a recess in the side wall of the lock. The outer ends of the arms are secured in position by a band of iron, angled, so that it can be bolted to them and the face of the gate as well, or riveted.

The gate for canal purposes is madelto serve as a wicket, by having the lower portion of its face, across its entire length, if desirable, in one piece or more, cut off and hinged to the upper part, so that they will play backward or forward. The piece or pieces thus hinged I call a wicket leaf are operated as follows: The lock being empty and I wish to raise a boat to the upper level, the lower gate and wickets are closed, I slightly raise the upper gate by an apparatus hereafter mentioned, when the wicket leaf aforesaid is pressed backward by the water in the upper level and rushes through in such volume as to fill the lock more speedily than by any other known method. Vhen the gate is made to lower or drop the upper edge or top going below the top of the breast wall E, when the boat passes out over the gate.

To lower a boat after ithas entered the lock, my gate is raised,-by means hereinafter mentioned-the lower edge of the wicket leaf going just above the breast wall E, which, by the simple device of loaded rods a, that are fastened to, and on the inside of, the wicket leaf at its eXtreme lower corners, is thrown outward and rests on the top of the breast wall, when the gate is dropped, its whole weight being sustained by the wicket, which is made water tight. 4

The gate is raised and lowered by means of compensating weights, connected to it by a chain passing over a pulley which is operated by an endless screw or beveled gear F, or other gearing on a hollow tube or shaft G, resting in journals placed at intervals on the top of the lock'and extending to the foot of the lock or lower gate, where the power is applied by the lock tender, who remains at that point. I use a hollow or tubular shaft of about two inches diameter,

for several reasons--the first is, that being hollow it is stronger, and less liable to twist and break than a solid rod, besides permitting rods to pass and be operated through it, one for controlling wickets, another forthrowing in and out of gear the shaft itself, and under the control of the lock tender at the lower gate.

Figures 1, 2, and 8 represent sectional views of the gate and portions of the lock to which it is connected, and with which it acts.

It will be perceived that the wicket leaf D finds its seat c, when it is to be closed, as the counterpoise weights a keep it out in the position shown in Fig. 2, 'and when the gate is let down the inclined plane e acts in combination With a similarly curved breast Wall, which forms the lower part of the gate substantially as herein described. 15

2. In combination With such a gate, a Wicket leaf hinged or hung thereto and operating in the manner, and for the purpose described and represented.

ROBERT TAYLOR.

Witnesses A. B. STOUGHTON, E. COHEN. 

